Other justice policies, including curfews for young offenders and allowing some criminals to serve their sentences by helping communities as an alternative to prison were more popular, standing at 7.18 and 6.85 respectively.

Appetite for a referendum on Scottish independence scored 6.15.

BBC Scotland's political editor Brian Taylor said of the poll's top priority: "On the face of it, that is a challenge to Labour with its programme of rebuilding schools and hospitals through the Public Private Partnership.

"However, Labour has already countered on this issue of service provision, challenging rival parties to describe how they would match the current drive to refurbish schools and hospitals through PPP."

ICM Research interviewed a random sample of 1001 Scottish adults aged 18+ by telephone on 29-31st March 2007. Interviews were conducted across Scotland and the results have been weighted to the profile of all adults. ICM is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules.